Night out on the town: the 5 most trendy places in Hong Kong for an evening to remember

While the city’s buzzing bar scene needs no introduction, these places really turn up the cool factor, and the hip, lively crowds of cocktail lovers that come here in droves are treated to an experience they’ll never forget.

Stockton is an ode to late-1800s London hedonism. In a dark alleyway off Wyndham Street, hidden behind a nondescript door, this award-winning speakeasy is one of Hong Kong’s best secret spots. The dimly lit, spacious lounge oozes Victorian glamour and decadence, immersing us into the past the moment we step in. It turns pretty crowded and animated on the weekend, so we recommend you come early if you really want to enjoy the space.

The bar is stocked with exceptional whiskeys (no less than 150 on offer), rare champagnes and gins, supporting a creative cocktail menu designed by a team of award-winning mixologists. At their head, Suraj Gurung, the mastermind behind the bar’s complex creations that seek to reinterpret and reinvent the spirits of the 1800s. The current menu, Origin of the Species, is a cheeky take on Darwinism, providing an alternative evolutionary history of mankind centered around booze. Definitely try signature Cousin Neolith, made with roasted fig syrup, juniper fig leaf tincture, rum, whisky, oloroso sherry, avocado liqueur, cinnamon bark syrup, and lime.

Grungy, wild and fun, The Pontiac is the most exciting late-night spot in the city’s Central district. In 2019, it made it to No.32 on the World’s 50 Best Bars list.Helmed by Beckaly Franks, star mixologist and former lead bartender at Portland’s Clyde Common, The Pontiac’s loud music, rough aesthetic and authentic vibe have turned it into the coolest neighborhood spot for stiff cocktails and a seriously good time.

This is the place to go if you want to let off steam, meet new people, and sing at the top of your lungs as the jukebox blasts your favorite rock anthems. Elbow your way to the bar and you’ll see Franks and her almost all-female staff happily turning out cocktail after cocktail for the thirsty crowd. Strong and delicious, the bar’s signature drinks combine the best ingredients with a hefty dose of creativity. Try the Hobnail, made with Irish whisky, ginger, amaro, Angostura bitters and orange oil, or Too Many Devils, with dry gin, raspberry eau de vie, falernum no. 2, melon, lime, cucumber and absinthe.

The famous Bali club’s Hong Kong outpost brings the brand’s original vision and tropical vibe to the city’s trendy Sai Ying Pun neighborhood. Designed by star architect Sou Fujimoto, the 8,000-square-foot multipurpose space houses a diverse programme of cultural events.

Come by the Eksotika bar for its Monday to Friday Sundown Hour and try out one (or a few) of their tropical cocktails created with bar legend Dre Masso. We love the Tropics Old Fashioned, made with coconut fat-washed bourbon, roast pineapple skin syrup and turmeric bitters, stirred and served over ice. Up for a delicious challenge? Go for the Barong Zombie, made with Nusa Caña and Havana Club 3 year old rum, pineapple arak, falernum, cherry liqueur, a splash of absinthe, coconut, sugarcane and pineapple juices, passion fruit and a dash of bitters – only 2 allowed per visit.

Then head on over to the Music Room. Accessible through three different concealed entrances, it is a vinyl lover’s paradise. Hosting a vast and sharp collection of thousands of records, it provides audiophiles with a top-notch listening experience thanks to wood paneling, solid sound-proofing, and massive JBL 4350 speakers. Stop by for a chill listening sesh, and stay for a late-night dance party. With regular events curated by a roster of local and international DJs, the parties are quick to be sold out.

This sleek and trendy Japanese bar and restaurant offers a vast selection of Japanese sakes and whiskies. But the exquisite cocktails and vibrant atmosphere are what make Zuma one of Hong Kong’s top places to be. Excellent DJ sets draw in the city’s most stylish crowd (so make sure you dress to impress), and a weekend free-flow champagne brunch is also part of the programme.

The cocktail menu by bar manager Arkadiusz Rybak combines an extensive knowledge of cutting-edge Western mixology techniques with a love for Japanese ingredients, spirits, culture, and precision. We love the Semei Sour, a spectacular take on the Whisky Sour with Japanese whisky, yuzu juice, egg white, plum bitters and smoke. Another favorite is the Honda Negroni, with shiso infused gin, Mancino Rosso, Campari and umeshu. And if you’re craving something fresh and fruity, definitely go for the Rubabu, made with rhubarb infused sake, vodka and passion fruit. The bar also offers an extensive selection of whiskies from all over Japan – including some incredibly rare and pricey bottles – and over 40 varieties of sake.

Australian-born Ashley Sutton is known for his whimsical, visually stunning concepts, and The Iron Fairies is no exception.The aesthetics and atmosphere are truly spectacular, and immediately immerse us in a world of fantasy. Attached to thin copper rods, over 10,000 real, preserved butterflies delicately dangle from the ceiling – anincredible sight to behold. Above the bar, hundreds of vials of fairy dust tied to strings hang in colorful bundles, and scattered around the tables are thousands of the titular small iron fairies. The superbly crafted drinks, innovative comfort food, excellent live music acts and all-around stellar service complete the picture, making this place an all-time Hong Kong favorite.

The creative cocktail menu was designed in collaboration with master mixologist Joseph Boroski. Try Smoke In A Bottle, a mix of house-infused blueberry vodka, elderflower liqueur, homemade sage cordial, lemon, and creme de cassis with smoked cacao nibs, presented in a smoke-filled glass bottle and served over ice cubes. Another favorite is the Underground Martini, with triple-pepper and chili infused dry gin shaken over ice with homemade turmeric bitters, white radish and fresh lemon. To soak it all up, tuck into a hearty hand crafted burger or some of the delicious shareable bar bites.